By George, there’s a hall lot to learn

STEP back in time . . . crowds gather outside George Street Chapel

CROWDS gathered to discover the history behind a once-bustling town centre community hall.

George Street Chapel threw open its doors for the Oldham Heritage Festival — a four-day event where visitors to explore the history behind places of interest across the borough. The chapel was built in 1815 by a group of friends who met regularly to sing and pray.

Many of the members were hatters and a key feature of the chapel includes large wooden pegs for the congregation to hang their hats on.

Underneath the chapel lies a row of two-roomed single-storey cottages in which families lived.

Even though the houses are now altered and have not been lived in since 1912, it is still possible to see the original fireplace.

Age Concern has now bought the chapel in a bid to bring it back into productive use. The charity is drawing up plans to save the site as a heritage centre to represent the history of Oldham.